Sept. 10, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Junior outside hitter Sarah Watkins recorded a 17 kills to lead the Arizona State to a 3-0 victory over Fordham during the first day of the Wyndham Buttes/Sun Devil Volleyball Classic on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.
ASU improved to 3-1 on the season with the convincing 30-22, 30-21, 30-24 victory in its home debut. Fordham fell to 3-2 on the season. Pacific defeated Tulane in straight sets in the first match of the annual tournament.
Watkins (Mishawaka, Ind.) was the only Sun Devil to record double-digits in kills. The junior hit an efficient .308 (11-3-26) and added one block and one service ace for 13.0 total points. Freshman opposite Kristin Trayser (Crystal Lake, Ill.) followed with nine kills and had one block. Freshman middle blocker Colette Meek (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) came off the bench in the third game to contribute four kills on six swings (.667) and added a match high three blocks.
Freshman setter Rachel Mittelstaedt (Phoenix, Ariz.) had 32 assists and added a team-high nine digs.
Second-year head coach Brad Saindon played all 12 players that were suited up, leading to the balanced offensive attack. The Sun Devils received some bad news earlier in the day as senior setter Giovana Melo would be lost for the season with a torn ACL. Melo average 10.60 assists per game last weekend while starting two matches in the New Hampshire Volleyball Classic, but went down earlier today in practice with the injury. Redshirt senior outside hitter Natalie Harris is also out for the entire season with a torn ACL.
"It's been a tough day for this team because in a lot of ways Giovana was the lifeblood of this team," said Saindon. "She has been playing really well on the court, but overall she is our team leader and is everyone's favorite teammate. I really feel bad for her and I hope there is a way we can get her back for another year."
Arizona State returns to action Saturday night against Pacific (1-2) at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena. Tulane will meet Fordham in the early match at 4:30 p.m.
2004 Wyndham Buttes/Sun Devil Volleyball Classic Friday Sept. 10 Pacific 3, Tulane 0 Friday Sept. 10 ASU 3, Fordham 0 Saturday Sept. 11 Tulane vs. Fordham 4:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 11 ASU vs. Pacific 7 p.m. Sunday Sept. 12 Fordham vs. Pacific 10 a.m. Sunday Sept. 12 ASU vs. Tulane 12 p.m.
--Sun Devil Volleyball--